Ramirez-Postol, Pedraza-Molina Official For May

Delayed as a result of the coronavirus, we finally have a set date for Jose Ramirez v. Viktor Postol. Following an initial report, the two will officially face off  May 9 inside the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. The bout will be joined by a super-lightweight contest featuring Jose Pedraza facing Javier Molina.

“We are pleased that Ramirez and Postol will finally fight May 9 from the great city of Fresno,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Viktor is a worthy mandatory challenger who earned his title shot, and Jose will be fully prepared to make a statement. And for Jose, this could be his last fight in Fresno for a long time, so I expect the Central Valley faithful to fill up the Save Mart Center for a special evening.”

Ramirez (25-0) is coming off of a TKO-win over Maurice Hooker back in July. He won the WBO Super-Welterweight Title to go along with his WBC belt. The 27-year-old won the WBC belt back in 2018, beating Amir Iman for the vacant title in 2018.

“It is always a blessing to fight at Save Mart Center in front of my loyal fans,” Ramirez said. “I prepared for Postol once, and I will be in top form May 9. My trainer, Robert Garcia, will have me ready for whatever he brings to the table. He is a former world champion who I cannot underestimate.”

Postol (31-2) is coming off of a unanimous decision win over Mohamed Mimoune back in April to become the mandatory challenger. He is on a two-fight win streak following a 1-2 record from 2016 to the middle of 2018.

“I am glad the new fight date is set. I’m already in gym, and camp is going really well,” Postol said. “I was ready to fight on Feb. 1 and now I’m focused on May 9. The fight is taking place in his hometown, but that does not bother me because I have the experience to fight on away soil. I am looking forward to become a champion again.”

Jose Pedraza (26-3) will be opening the ESPN-produced telecast. A former IBO super featherweight and WBO Lightweight Champion, Pedraza is 2-2 in his last four fights. He beat Raymundo Beltran in August 2018 for the WBO Lightweight Title before losing it to Vasyl Lomachenko in December of that year. He rebounded with a TKO win over Antonio Lozada Jr. before losing to Jose Zepeda in September.

“This May 9 fight against Javier Molina will be crucial for my career. This is a crossroads fight, and I will do everything in my power to return to the winning route against a world-class opponent,” Pedraza stated. “I know Molina very well. I saw him fight while we were at the 2008 Olympics in China. He is coming off a couple of big wins and is looking for a world title shot at 140. I’m also looking for a world title shot at super lightweight, and that makes this fight a significant and interesting one. I’m working extremely hard because I know that to get a world title opportunity, I can’t have another loss on my record. I will get a big win against Javier Molina on May 9, and after that, the ‘Sniper’ will aim for a world title at 140.”

Molina (22-2) is on a five-fight win streak. The 30-year-old won nine in a row to start his career before losing to Artemio Reyes. He then won eight in a row before losing to Jamal James in 2016. “El Intocable” won his last bout a few weeks ago against Amir Iman via unanimous decision.

“I’m happy to get right back in the ring with another tough opponent. With a win over Pedraza, I feel like it should definitely set me up for a title shot next,” Molina said. “I’m excited to be on ESPN once again and continue to get that exposure. I’m just ready to go. 2020 will be my year.”

The main card begins at 10 p.m. ET. Tickets for the event go on sale Tuesday, March 10 and prices range from $31 to $206.